Oleander Park Upgrade

Exact timeframes will be confirmed once a contractor is appointed. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 - early 2026, pending procurement processes and sourcing the playground elements.

Local recreation parks are designed for short visits and casual, unstructured play. They are intended to serve people within a 1km or 10-15 minute walking distance.

As such, they do not typically include:

• Public toilets
• BBQs
• Parking
• Sports/ Events facilities or lighting for night use

The Oleander Park upgrade is being designed with this purpose in mind—but it will still exceed local park embelllishment standards.

Oleander Park is a much-loved local park in Kawungan. This upgrade will provide updated infrastructure and a more inclusive and engaging space that encourages active play and better reflects the needs of the local community—especially young families.Oleander Park is a much-loved local park in Kawungan. This upgrade will provide updated infrastructure and a more inclusive and engaging space that encourages active play and better reflects the needs of the local community—especially young families.

Funding has been allocated through Council’s Parks and Open Space capital works program, guided by the Fraser Coast Park Strategy 2041. The Strategy ensures upgrades are equitable and strategically prioritised.

Yes, once construction begins, sections of the park will be temporarily closed to ensure safety. Council will provide notice and signage to keep the community informed during the construction phase.

The concept design includes a mix of traditional and imaginative play and recreation elements:

Play & Active Features

• New playground with large tower, swings and other smaller elements - suitable for toddlers to age six
• Concrete bike track with weaving poles, berms, play huts, and bike ramp
• Multi-Goal half court including hopscotch, and handball markings

Infrastructure & Embellishments

• Shade and Picnic shelters and sandstone seating for families
• DDA-compliant carpark and new pathways to shelters to improve accessibility
• Water bubbler, bike rack, and bins
• Increased landscaping including more shade trees and plantings

Council is seeking feedback on the design and elements to make sure the park reflects the values and needs of local residents.

• Complete the quick poll to help us choose the elements
• Provide comments on the concept design

Feedback closes: 11:55pm, Monday 1 September 2025

Community input will help choose the elements for the playground and refine the design concept. Once feedback is reviewed, Council will conduct a procurement process an appoint contractors.

The Fraser Coast Park Strategy 2041 is Council’s long-term plan to ensure that our region’s parks are accessible, inclusive, sustainable, and well-maintained. It sets out:

• What types of parks should be provided
• Where they should be located
• What facilities they should have
• How they should be designed and maintained

The Strategy helps ensure:

• Equitable access to parks across urban and rural areas
• Investments are prioritised based on need and sustainability
• Each park fits into a broader regional network
• That Council can maintain parks effectively into the future

It also responds to changing community expectations, trends in outdoor recreation, and population growth.

The strategy covers all Council-owned and managed parks, including:

• Sports Parks – Formal sporting activity spaces (e.g. football fields, netball courts)
• Recreation Parks – Recreation & play spaces - for physical activity & social interaction
• Environmental Parks - Bushland reserves, natural landscapes & conservation areas
• Constrained Parks - Drainage land or utility corridors with limited recreational use

Not all parks will be upgraded immediately. The Strategy helps Council prioritise upgrades based on:

• Population growth
• Gaps in access to parks
• Community need
• Safety and infrastructure condition
• Budget availability

The Park Strategy doesn’t guarantee immediate upgrades but helps guide future infrastructure and investment decisions.